Audie Cole

Cole will need to earn a three-down role in training camp to justify this ranking, but he did well for himself during his 2013 audition, and the Vikings didn't add any noteworthy MLB talent in the dra...

Jasper Brinkley started at middle linebacker and had two tackles in Thursday's preseason win over Tennessee and appears to have won the starting job over Cole, but head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't made a final decision, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Cole had two total tackles in Saturday's preseason win over Arizona and while Jasper Brinkley started at middle linebacker, the starting job remains an even battle between the two, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Cole is expected to serve as a backup at middle linebacker to the newly acquired Desmond Bishop.

2012

Cole, Minnesota's 2012 seventh-round draft pick, was a Butkus Award semifinalist last season with 108 tackles and 5.5 sacks for N.C. State. He could win a backup role this summer, but it's not clear if he has the speed to eventually win a starting job.